SEPTEMBER 24, 1940

HYDE PARK, Monday—On Saturday I met with a number of people at my apartment in the New York
City, who wanted to talk over a variety of things. I think my most unusual visitors
were Mr. Hans Meyer and Mr. Guy Johnson. They come from a group who believe in living,
here and now, in real brotherhood.

For the moment, while the Government of England understands their position, the people
about them are making their community life somewhat difficult, for they have every
nationality in the community in order to show that there really is a brotherhood of
man. You make no commitment as to any special religion in joining them, you simply are willing to live according
to their theories of government.

South Dakota has a similar community, but they are somewhat withdrawn from the other
people of the neighborhood. The English group wishes to bring over its members to
join those in this country. It is evident that they would be model citizens and their
conception of democracy is certainly a pure and practical one. But even these two
men with fine, calm faces, agreed that community living was not without its problems.
I wonder if it will be easier in South Dakota than in England. I hope so, for they
could not fail to be a good influence.

After attending the opening at a department store of designs for household furniture
which various American artists had made, I left New York City in a cheerful mood.
This work is going to bring taste and beauty to the people in the country because
it is within the price range that many can afford. I wish them great success in what is a commercial
venture, but at the same time, an artistic one.

Saturday night, to our great joy, James, Elliott and Ruth, and Franklin Jr., and Ethel,
were all here for their grandmother's birthday celebration. Our other guests were
Mrs. J. R. Roosevelt, Miss Laura Delano, Mr. Langdon P. Marvin, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. It was a happy family gathering and I hope there will be many
more similar ones.

Elliott has decided to go into the Air Corps for the duration of the emergency and
his brothers are trying to figure out with his various business commitments, for it
is a little disrupting completely to change your life. Today he receives his orders
in Washington and will know the exact date when he must report for duty in Dayton,
Ohio.